Tavuk Sis (Turkish Chicken Skewers)

Ingredients

• •1.5 lbs (about 700g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• •1/3 cup plain full-fat yogurt
• •3 tbsp olive oil
• •1 tbsp tomato paste
• •2 tbsp lemon juice
• •3 cloves garlic, minced
• •1 tsp paprika
• •1 tsp ground cumin
• •1/2 tsp dried oregano
• •1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• •1 tsp salt
• •1/2 tsp black pepper
• •1 medium red onion, cut into chunks
• •1 large green bell pepper, cut into chunks
• •8 metal or soaked wooden skewers

Directions

1. 1In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper to make the marinade.
2. 2Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and toss well to coat every piece thoroughly.
3. 3Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results — even 30 minutes at room temperature will add good flavour.
4. 4When ready to cook, thread the chicken onto skewers, alternating with chunks of red onion and green bell pepper.
5. 5Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
6. 6Grill the skewers for 4–5 minutes per side, turning once or twice, until the chicken is nicely charred on the outside and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C).
7. 7Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
8. 8Serve over flatbread or rice with sliced tomatoes, cucumber, and a squeeze of fresh lemon.

💡 Traditional Turkish recipes use süzme yoğurt (strained yogurt) — substitute with Canadian Balkan-style plain yogurt (like Astro or Olympic brand) for the same thick, creamy texture. Sumac, often sprinkled on top for a tangy finish, can be found at Middle Eastern grocery stores or the international aisle of larger supermarkets; a small squeeze of extra lemon juice works as a substitute.

Cook this with Miamzi 👨‍🍳

Miamzi knows what's in your kitchen — it checks this recipe against your ingredients, adds what's missing to your grocery list, plans your week, and invents new dishes from what you already have.